Released one under pressure: CoTU
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 01 2024: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki organisation based in Kangpokpi, has confided that they released one of three abducted youths under mounting pressure but continue to hold two captives.

The Committee is demanding transfer of Kuki inmates from Imphal Jail to a different location in the hill areas, citing safety concerns.

On September 27, the three youths, who were on their way to attend an army recruitment rally, mistakenly entered a Kuki-controlled area after following Google Maps.

Upon realising their location, Kuki women and youth volunteers intercepted the youths, questioning them before they were blindfolded and taken captive by a group of men.

One of the youths, Johnson, was released the same day, while the other two, Oinam Thoithoi and Thokchom Thoithoiba, remain in captivity.

A video of the captives surfaced on Saturday night, where they pleaded for saving their lives, appealing to chief minister N Biren to meet the captors' demands.

According to a report published by the Indian Express, Thangtinlen Haokip, a representative of CoTU, explained that the captives were taken by volunteers after crossing into Kuki territory.

"We (CoTU and militant groups under SoO) are under pressure from all sides, so we released one of them.

We are still deliberating on how to proceed with releasing the remaining two," he said, emphasising that the primary demand of the captors is relocation of Kuki inmates from Imphal Jail, where they fear for their safety due to the presence of Meetei jailers and police personnel.

Regarding reports of a heated exchange between CoTU and the DGP during a negotiation meeting, he stated, "The DGP came, and there were very heated discussions.

But our main concern is that the inmates be moved to a safer location, so they can sleep in peace" .

Earlier on Monday, CM Biren affirmed the government's efforts to secure the unconditional release of the hostages.

"The government is trying to release them unharmed...

One has already been released, and both the state and Central governments are working hard to ensure the safe release of the remaining two," he said.

The DGP was despatched to Kangpokpi to negotiate with the captors, he added.

Meanwhile, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra, on Sunday, revealed that CM Biren had confided the captors' demand for a possible exchange involving Mark T Haokip, a Kuki leader currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for charges of waging war against the nation.

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